Help with COVID-19 vaccinations for people with disabilities Call 888-677-1199 Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Eastern) – or – email [email protected] The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is now available to help people with disabilities get vaccinated.  The DIAL’s trained staff is standing by to: Help find local vaccination locations Assist with making vaccination appointments Connect callers to local services – such as accessible transportation – to overcome barriers to vaccination. The hotline also can provide information and resources to answer questions and address concerns about the vaccines and can connect callers to information and services that promote independent living and address fundamental needs, such as food, housing, and transportation.

(COLUMBIA, SC, September 9, 2021) – Early on, Charles and Elizabeth Kinney noticed their daughter Ellington was missing developmental milestones. Eventually Ellington was diagnosed with a very rare genetic neurological condition, KCNQ3. Due to this condition, Ellington has global developmental delays, cortical visual impairment, and autism.  The Kinney family is serving as Ambassadors for Family Connection of South Carolina’s annual LOOK! Photography Exhibit—a collection offering an inspiring glimpse into the lives of children and young people who have a disability or chronic health condition. To create the exhibit, professional photographers from across the state volunteered their time to host photo sessions with more than 60 families who have received services from the organization. Annually, Family Connection serves more than 3,000 families across South Carolina. “Our greatest joys in our journey as Ellington’s parents have been watching her growth and success as she works so hard to build the skills we

MEDIA ALERT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                           CONTACT: Jacki Garbinsky: 803-995-1413    [email protected]  LOOK! PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT VIRTUAL WATCH PARTY PREMIERES THIS SUNDAY! WHO: Family Connection of South Carolina—a statewide non-profit organization providing services and resources to families who have a child with a disability or chronic health condition. WHAT:  Family Connection of South Carolina’s annual LOOK! Photography Exhibit—a collection offering an inspiring glimpse into the lives of children and young people who have a disability or chronic health condition. To create the exhibit, professional photographers from across the state volunteered their time to host photo sessions with more than 60 families who have received services from the organization. Annually, Family Connection serves more than 3,000 families across South Carolina. The intent of LOOK! is to highlight the beauty and unique abilities of the child or young person being photographed. Each photo includes a scannable code bringing viewers to a story page highlighting

PUBLIC NOTICE Download PDF The State is proposing to renew the Intellectual Disability/Related Disabilities (ID/RD) home and community-based waiver program for an additional five-year period with the following changes: -Updated Waiver name-Add In-Home Supports-Add Independent Living Skills-Add Remote Supports as part of Assistive Technology-Add Residential Habilitation tiers of service-Add the option for Respite services provided to multiple participants living in the same household-Add the option for Respite to be self-directed-Adjust Environmental Modification lifetime cap-Update Career Preparation, Day Activity, Community Services, Employment Services definitions-Distinguished Transitional Waiver Case Management from Waiver Case Management Services-Update progress on the CMS HCBS Final Rule requirements;-Revise performance measures for quality improvement as needed;-Update Appendices as needed to enhance clarity of text and any substantial policy changes. The public comment period for the ID/RD Waiver renewal runs from Aug. 16, 2021 – Sept. 25, 2021. There will be two webinars to discuss the renewal. Information is in

Proposed Renewal of the Medically Complex Children Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program PUBLIC NOTICE Proposed Renewal of the Medically Complex Children Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Program The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) gives notice that it intends to file a waiver renewal with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Medically Complex Children (MCC) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver. The proposed effective date of this waiver renewal is Jan. 1, 2022. Download PDF The following is a summary of changes included in the proposed waiver amendment: Increase maximum age for waiver participants from 18 to 21; Add environmental modification service with $7,500 lifetime cap; Revise waiver performance measures in accordance with guidance received from CMS; and, Retain and fully implement respite services as currently outlined in the waiver application. In addition, information regarding the proposed changes in the renewal will

Jacki Garbinsky 803-995-1413 [email protected]   Cullen Murray-Kemp 843-732-4110 [email protected] COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 1, 2021) –Family Connection of South Carolina and HealthLinks Upstate and HealthLinks Charleston Magazines announce their partnership to help increase awareness of services and resources available to families who have a child with a disability, specialized healthcare need or chronic illness. “Since 1990, Family Connection of South Carolina has served more than 100,000 families who have a child or youth with a disability or specialized healthcare need. From birth through age 26, we are here for every milestone in a child’s life and every challenge parents may face as their children approach those milestones” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connections of South Carolina. “Healthlinks magazines highlight important health and wellness information and resources for children and adults across our state. We are proud to partner with them and to have the opportunity to share the resources and services

CONTACT: Jacki Garbinsky 803-995-1413 [email protected] (Columbia, SC, March 8, 2021)—Family Connection of South Carolina—the state’s federally-appointed Parent Training and Information Center–is pleased to welcome Cathy Stevens of Furman University to their board of directors.  Ms. Stevens is the Director of the White-Riley-Peterson Afterschool Policy Fellowship at Furman University. She also directs the WhatWorksSC Clearinghouse Award program and assists with the Institute’s Diversity Leaders Initiative and serves on the community advisory council for Prisma Health Children’s Hospital – Upstate. Cathy and her husband Erik Ching, have three children, Anders, Halle, and Evan.   “We are delighted to have Cathy Stevens serve in this volunteer leadership role. Her passion and vision will help Family Connection forward our mission and serve more families across our state” said Amy Holbert, CEO of Family Connection of South Carolina. Also serving on the Family Connection of South Carolina Board of Directors are: Karen Crider, State Treasurer’s Office;